A total of 6 different operations have been carried out in the past 45 days at customs in response to the alarm raised for viral tomato seeds. The detection of attempts to introduce these seeds from Asian countries to Turkey has prompted a state of alert.

Recent analyses have identified the spotted mosaic virus and brown wrinkled fruit virus present in these seeds as a threat to the global agriculture sector. According to a report in the Turkey Newspaper, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has taken action in response to the issue of viral tomatoes by increasing measures at the borders. Viral tomato seeds of Chinese origin were seized at customs on January 10th, January 23rd, Chinese and Thai origin on February 10th, Chinese origin on February 13th, and most recently on February 15th. The seized seeds were reported to have been returned to their countries of origin.

These viral seeds, known as ToMMV and ToBRFV, were first identified in the 2010s in North and Central America. The virus, which spread in Mexico in 2013 and in the USA in 2018, is notorious for destroying vegetable and fruit production, as well as causing illnesses when consumed. In 2021, the virus appeared in Israel and quickly spread to all greenhouses in the country. Agriculture in Israel was nearly brought to a standstill, forcing the country to rely on imports to meet its fruit and vegetable needs.